SHAHEEN, CASEY INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO PROTECT SENIORS FROM HEALTH CARE FRAUD
(Washington, DC) – Citing a long-standing commitment to protecting seniors in New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and across the country from scams and fraud, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Bob Casey (D-PA) today introduced legislation that will help educate seniors on fraud prevention. Shaheen and Casey’s bill, the Protecting Seniors from Health Care Fraud Act, specifically targets some of the most common health care fraud schemes which disproportionately target seniors. Seniors have been shown to be more vulnerable to fraud than the general population, particularly with respect to health care, since they often require more health care services than the general population.
“Unfortunately there are criminals who prey on older Americans, and one of the best ways to protect New Hampshire seniors from becoming victims of health care scams is through information and education,” Senator Shaheen said. “Experts and advocates on seniors’ issues support this plan because it gives seniors the tools to recognize and report fraud before it happens.”
“Seniors are particularly vulnerable to fraudulent scams so it’s vital that the federal government take steps to protect them,” Senator Casey said. “This legislation will provide seniors with information to recognize these scams before they occur.”
The Protecting Seniors from Health Care Fraud Act requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in conjunction with the Department of Justice (DOJ), to work with federal agencies to generate a report with policy recommendations to address the most prevalent health care schemes. The bill also requires regular mailings to seniors with a list of the top ten health care fraud schemes and regular updates on the HHS website.
Similar bipartisan legislation has already been introduced in the House of Representatives, which is endorsed by the AARP, The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, National Hispanic Council on Aging, Alliance for Retired Americans, Medicare Rights Center, Coalition Against Insurance Fraud, Caregiver Action Network, Alliance for Aging Research, National Association for Home Care & Hospice, American Society on Aging, Latinos for a Secure Retirement, The Elder Justice Coalition, and The Center for Social Gerontology.
